The Scrutiny Panel is currently undertaking a review looking at how partners, including the private sector, can work together to influence the local economy.

**Key lines of Inquiry:**

- How can schemes, such as Apprenticeship Programmes, be developed and expanded so that they deliver for both local employees, employers and local residents?
- What is the vision for skills and learning issues, particularly low skills?
- What support is there for those that are in long term unemployment?
- What are the areas for potential growth in jobs?
- What can other organisations/groups/individuals do to help?
- Whether a mapping skills gap exercise has been undertaken to identify the type of skills that are in short supply; and what the findings of this exercise are
- How specific services can be used to generate business investment
- How can the offer of commercial land in the borough be improved to ensure a steady stream of quality premises that are accessible by new and established organisations?
- What could feasibly be done to improve the physical infrastructure in and around the town?
- How it can be ensured that those who are seldom heard or isolated are engaged with?

The expected outcomes of this Scrutiny Review are:

- To make informed recommendations to all relevant parties on the most appropriate approaches in influencing the local economy CORE QUESTIONS:

A series of key questions have been put together to inform the evidence base of the Scrutiny Panel:

1. In your opinion how can schemes, such as Apprenticeship Programmes, be developed and expanded so that they deliver for both local employees, employers and local residents?

2. What is your organisation’s vision for skills and learning issues, particularly low skills?

3. What support does your organisation offer for those that are in long term unemployment? Or are you aware of the support available for those in long term unemployment, please provide details

4. Within your organisation, what are the areas for potential growth in jobs?

5. In your opinion, what can other organisations/groups/individuals do to help?

6. Are you aware of the types of skills that are in short supply? Please can you provide details

7. How do you feel specific services can be used to generate business investment.

The Northampton Alive brand needs to be used more to act as a Marketing vehicle for inward investment supported by the BID which has within its new Business Plan the activity of Working with partners, landlords and property agents to market the town centre to potential new retailers and investors in line with recommendations from an updated retail strategy for the town centre.

The BID can also provide support by meeting with the Council lead and the investor / business interested in locating in the town centre to provide a business perspective on the current situation in the town centre.

There also needs to be a coordinated approach to any enquiry being made by businesses who are seeking to locate in Northampton through the Economic Regeneration team of the NBC. 8. In your opinion, how can the offer of commercial land in the borough be improved to ensure a steady stream of quality premises that are accessible by new and established organisations?

The largest site in the town centre (the area of concern for the BID) is of course the old Bus Station site. The Grosvenor Shopping Centre has had a limited make-over and there are a number of properties around the town centre which offer potential development opportunities.

The key to ensuring that there is a steady stream of quality premises in the town centre is for there to be a clear vision and plan for the town centre and evidence to support the fact that the plan is being implemented. This will provide confidence to potential investors and businesses who are considering investment and growth in Northampton.

The BID has a key role to play in working with the Council in providing a business input into the development of the town centre and providing the confidence for businesses to invest in refurbishment and development of properties and sites.

9. What could feasibly be done to improve the physical infrastructure in and around the town?

The key elements of the town centre’s infrastructure which need to be improved are the standards of the street surfaces, notably in Abington Street, and the Market Square.

10. In your opinion what are the reasons why businesses invest in Northampton and elsewhere?

Geographical location, ease of access to key road infrastructure and relatively cheaper property and business rates than further south.

11. How it can be ensured that those who are seldom heard or isolated are engaged with?

12. Do you have further information regarding how partners locally, including the private sector, can work together to influence the economy, which you would like to inform the Scrutiny Panel?